Left wing Kyle Clifford, who would normally be playing for the
NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, is skating with the ECHL’s
Ontario Reign during the NHL lockout.
(click to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan

Left wing Kyle Clifford, who won the Stanley Cup last season with the Kings, scored that goal when he fought off Aces defenseman Alain Goulet. Clifford skated across the low slot, and as he spun, he managed to wrist the puck top shelf, beating Read more of this post

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: In part six of a series featuring the long-time broadcasters of the Los Angeles Kings, play-by-play announcers Bob Miller and Nick Nickson shared their thoughts on the Kings and their dominating run through the 2012 playoffs, including their expectations going in, and how they changed as the Kings got past the first round. Interestingly, their color commentator partners, Jim Fox and Daryl Evans, respectively, shared perspectives that differed considerably from those of Miller and Nickson. They shared their thoughts in part seven.

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — As most who follow hockey know by now, the Los Angeles Kings barely squeaked into the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, only to dominate every opponent, earning a 16-4 record on their way to winning the first Stanley Cup Championship in the 45-year history of the franchise.

The Kings finally hoisted the Stanley Cup on June 11, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, after winning Game 6 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, 6-1, over the New Jersey Devils, eliminating them in six games.

FROZEN ROYALTY EXCLUSIVE: Even though only one pair of Los Angeles Kings broadcasters got to work throughout the playoffs this past season, they all had their own views on the Kings as they tore through the playoffs. But what is most interesting, although maybe not surprising, is that each of them had slightly different expectations going into the post-season. In part six of this series, play-by-play announcers Bob Miller and Nick Nickson share their thoughts on the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings, and their incredible run through the playoffs. Check back next week for what color commentators Daryl Evans and Jim Fox had to say on the topic.

After 39 years, Los Angeles Kings television play-by-play announcer
Bob Miller got his opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup after the Kings
won it for the first time in franchise history on June 11, 2012, with
radio play-by-play announcer Nick Nickson (left), and team
captain Dustin Brown (right) looking on.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo courtesy Bob Miller

LOS ANGELES — Nine months ago, despite sky high expectations, the Los Angeles Kings were not scoring goals, and, as a result, were struggling to remain in contention for a playoff berth.

But a coaching change, the recall of two forwards from the minor leagues who no one expected anything from, and a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline, combined to help lead the Kings from being on the verge of missing the post-season to the first Stanley Cup Championship in the 45-year history of the franchise.

2011-12 YEAR-IN-REVIEW: The Los Angeles Kings were struggling mightily, even after Darryl Sutter took over as head coach just before Christmas. Although things improved marginally, it took the recall of three rookies from the minor leagues, and a big trade, to allow the Kings to play the brand of hockey that would allow them to reach for the stars.

LOS ANGELES — After starting the 2011-12 season with sky high expectations, the Los Angeles Kings were in disarray. They were not anywhere near as successful as they should have been heading into the holiday season, just barely keeping their heads above water with a 13-12-4 mark on December 10, 2011, 29 games into the season.

Although they were not that far off the division lead, or even from first place in the Western Conference yet, that record left the Kings much closer to the cellar of both Read more of this post

The Los Angeles Kings winning the 2012 Stanley Cup, the first championship in the 45-year history of the franchise, still has fans celebrating more than two weeks later. One fan, young Kai Jacinto, of Culver City, California, was so inspired, he wrote the following poem…

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